Orthodontic brackets



March 1, 1960 M. WAL'LSHEIN ORTHODONTIC BRACKETS Filed Jan. 6, 1959 FIG FIG-8 FIGJI INVENTOR, MELVIN WALLSHEIN,

ATTORNEY 2,926,422 ORTHODONTIC BRACKETS Melvin Wallshein, Brooklyn, NY. Application January 6,1959, Serial No. 785,205

16 Claims. (:32-14)? t This invention relates to improved orthodontic brackets for supporting an arch wire. f f

An object of this invention is to provide novel and improved constructions for orthodontic brackets of the type mentioned, on which the arch wire is easily mounted and then held in place against detachment from the bracket, affording said arch wire freedom for lengthwise movement; a feature of the construction being to make it nited States d Patet necessary that the arch wire be bent in a certain way in a order that it could leave the bracket once it is mounted thereon. Of course, a similar bending of thearch wire is required to mount it on the bracket.

Another object thereof is to provide novel and improved orthodontic brackets of the character set forth, which accommodate and hold wires of different sizes.

A further object of this invention is to provide novel and improved brackets of the kind set forth, which are simple in construction, easy to manufacture, reasonable in cost, easy and convenient to use and efficient in carrying out the purposes for which they are designed.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as this disclosure proceeds.

Essentially, each bracket is on a tubular band fitted tightly on and around a tooth and may be deemed a structure comprised of three channels through which the arch wire lies substantially straight. The entrance to the intermediate channel is in a different direction than into the other two channels, making it necessary when entering the arch wire to bend it to first enter the intermediate channel and then the others, for which, the arch wire need be straightened.

In the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification, similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Fig-1 is a fragmentary side view of a patients upper teeth about which is an orthodontic arch wire shown mounted on brackets embodying teachingsof this invention; each bracket being carried respectively on a conventional band which tightly encircles a tooth. The anchor means for the wire ends is not shown.

Fig. 2 is a magnified perspective view of a bracket embodying the teachings of this invention, as seen from the rear thereof.

. Fig. 3 is a front viewof a band equipped with a bracket of the kind'shown in Fig; 2, and showing an arch wire supported in such bracket. 7

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of Fig. 3, showing the manner in which the arch wire is inserted into the channels of the bracket. This shows the preliminary step.

Fig. 5 is a view like Fig. 4,'except that the arch wire is shown straight which is the normal condition of at least that portion of the wire which is supported by the bracket.

Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are drawn to an enlarged scale, but not so large as that of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a magnified perspective view of another embodiment of this invention. This view is a front view of the bracket.

. 2 V Fig. 7 is a front view of a band equipped with a bracket of the kind shown in Fig. 6. A fragment of the arch wire is shown in bent condition so that it could be properly mounted- Fig. 8 is a top plan view of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a view like Fig. 8, showing the arch wire in properly mounted condition.

Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are drawn to an enlarged scale, but not so large as that of Fig. 6.

Fig. 10 is a magnified perspective view of still another embodiment of this invention. This is a front view of the bracket.

Fig. 11 shows the bracket of Fig. 10 slightly modified, mounted on a tubular band and supporting an arch wire.

Fig. 11 is drawn to an enlarged scale, but not so large as that of Fig. 10.

In the drawing which shows preferred embodiments of this invention, the bracket indicated generally by the numeral 15, comprises three spaced channels as a unitary structure which may be made from a piece of square or rectangular tubing, milled or otherwise cut to the form shown in Fig. 3, where the numeral 16 indicates the intermediate channel and the numerals 17 and 18 denote the other channels respectively. The intermediate channel is upright and the others lie on one side. These channels 16, 17, 18 joined, offer a common fioor element 19. This bracket is soldered to the band 20, so that the entrances to the channels 17 and 18 are either in front as shown in Fig. 1, or in back as shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5. To mountthe arch wire 21 in this bracket, said wire is bent and first entered in the middle channel and then entered into the other channels by straightening the arch wire as shown successively in the Figs. 4 and 5. r 1

The bracket indicated generally by the numeral 22 can also be made of square or rectangular tubing, by milling a lengthwise slotin its top wall intermediate the ends of such piece of tubing and then the slant slots 23, 24 in its front wall; the width of such slots to be suflicient to admit the arch wire 21. On making such slots, the bracket comprises the intermediate upright channel 25 and the end channels 26, 27 which lie on one side. The rear wall soldered to the band 20 completes the fitting. To mount the arch wire 21 in this bracket 22, said wire is bent as shown in Figs. 7 and 8 and first entered into the middle channel 25 and then into the othcr channels by straightening the arch wire, whereupon said wire is properly mounted as shown in Fig. 9. v

The bracket indicated generally by the numeral 30 can also be made of a piece of square 'or rectangular tubing, by milling a slot in its front wall lengthwise and between the ends thereof and then the slant slots' 28, 29 through the front wall, extending the cuts up to the rear wall, whereby the bottom wall ofsuch tubular stock is given the upwardly convergent end surface portions 31, 32. On making such slots, the bracket comprises the intermediate channel 33 which lies on one side and the end channels, only one of which is completely exposed to view at 34. The entrance to the other is at 35 in identical fashion. These end channels 34, 35 are inverted, so that entrance into them is by movement upwardly into them. This construction presents the toothshaped lugs 36, 37, which here extend downwardly. The bracket is soldered with its rear wall onto the band 20. To mount the arch wire 21 in this bracket 30, said wire is bent and first entered into the middle channel 33 and then each slant slit whereupon said wire passes around the lugs 36, 37 and into the end channels 34, 35 by straightening said arch wire. As a modification of this bracket structure, the slant slits may be parallel preferably, and go one to the bottom wall and one to '3 the top wall of the bracket stock, as shown at 28' and 29 respectively.

The length of each of said brackets 15, 22, 30 and 30' is usually a bit less than the diameter of the band .20 they are associated with and the dimensions of the components of each bracket, can of course be alteredythe showings herein specifically set forth being intended merely to illustrateand explain this invention.

To facilitate definition in the appended claims, the elements 40, '41 may be denoted asposts extendingfrom the base member 42 on which from one of their distal ends extend the 7-shaped members 43, 44. Also, the components 45, 46, 36 and 37 may be called posts.

It is also to be understood that although I have shown the brackets mounted on the'band20 in preferred positions, such positions can be changed as for instance the positions used may be inverted in relation to those specifically shown or to positions a quarter turn from those illustrated so long that the arch wire 21 can lie horizontally through all three channels in each bracket, simultaneously.

This invention is capable of numerous forms and various applications without departing from the essential features herein disclosed. It is therefore intended and desired that the embodiments shown herein be deemed illustrative and not restrictive and that the patent shall cover all patentable novelty herein set'forth; reference beinghad to the following claims rather than to the specific description herein to indicate the scope of this invention.

I claim:

1. In an article for supporting an orthodontic arch wire, a mounting member adapted to be mounted on a tooth and a bracket fixed on said mounting member, presenting three channels, one positioned intermediate the other two so that a substantially horizontal straight portion of the wire can lie in and along all of said channels simultaneously; the respective entrances into said channels being accessible for the insertion of the wire therein by a lateral movement of the wire thereinto;the direction into said intermediate channel being different than the directions into the other two channels; the

entrances into said three channels being at such positions 7 respectively, that the portion of the wire which will lie in said channels need bebent to be entered into said three channels.

2. An article as defined in claim 1, wherein the channels are so positioned that thedirection into the intermediate channel -is substantially perpendicular to the directions into the other two channels.

3. An article as defined in claim 1, wherein the channels are so positioned that the entrance into the outer channels is in the same direction.

4. An article as defined in claim 1, wherein the channels are so positioned that the entrance into the intermediate channel is downward.

5. An article as defined in claim 1, wherein the channels are so positioned that the direction into the intermediate channel is downward and the direction into the other channel is horizontal.

6. An article as defined in claim 1, wherein the channels are so positioned that the direction into the intermediate channel and the direction into the other channels, are such that one of said directions is vertical and the other of said directions is horizontal.

7. An article as defined in claim 1, wherein the bracket comprises a base member on the mounting member ex- 4 tending in a direction from side to side of the mounting member, a pair of opposite posts extending from the mid section of said base member and spaced in a direction across the first mentioned direction and two 7-shaped members extending from said base member with one of their distal ends at such base member whereby each forms a channel with said base member; said 7-shaped members being spaced from-andone. to each side of said post members; the. wire beingenterable by a lateral movement between said posts, between the base member and each of said .7-shaped members respectively and between each of said 7-shaped elements and one of said posts.

8. An article as defined in claim 7, wherein the 7- shaped members are parallel.

9. An article as defined in claim 1, wherein the bracket comprises a horizontal channel extending in a direction from side to side of the mounting member, one of the side walls of said channel being substantially of trapezoidal' shape; the non-parallel edges of said trapezoidal shape convergingin a direction away from the bottom of said channel and two posts extending from the second side wall of said channel substantially to the plane of the outer surface of said trapezoidal wall and spaced respectively from and opposite to said slant edges respectively; the arch wire being enterable between each of said posts and the relativelyopposite slant edge of the trapezoidal wall.

10. An article as defined in claim 9, wherein the surface of each post, directly opposite the relatively opposite slantedge, is parallel to such slant edge respectively.

11. An article as defined in claim 9 wherein the channel is upright and wherein in the trapezoidal wall is the channel wall most forward of the mounting member.

12. An article as defined in claim 9, wherein the trapezoidal wall' extends vertically.

13. In an article as defined in claim 1, wherein the bracket comprises a horizontal channel extending in the direction from side to side of the mounting member and consisting of opposite side walls and a, floor wall; the inner surface of one of the side walls having end portions which are respectively in angular relation to its intermediate portion and including two posts extending from the second side wall and ending spaced respectively from the respective end portions of said inner surface of the first side wall and ending beyond theplane of the intermediateportion of said inner surface; the arch wire being enterable through the space between each of said posts and the relatively opposite end portion of said inner surface and between each of said posts and the floor wall of said channel respectively.

14. An article as defined in claim 13, wherein the surface of each, post directly opposite therelatively opposite endportions of said inner surface, is parallel thereto respectively.

15. An article as definedin claim 13, wherein the end portions of the mentioned inner surface areconvergent in a direction away from the floor of, said channel.

16.,An article as defined in claim 13, wherein one of end portions of the mentioned inner surface makes an inner angle with the intermediate portion of said inner surface and wherein the other end portion of said inner surface makes an outer angle with said intermediate portion.

Referencesflited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,716,283 Atkinson Aug. 30, 1955 

